Mailbox signal



June 1965 A. MARGONI 3,191,855

MAILBOX SIGNAL Filed Aug. 17, 1962 M Ci r/Z fi INVENTOR.

ALDO MARGONI United States Patent 3,191,855 MAILBOX SIGNAL Aldo Margoni, 1651 4th St., Monongahela, Pa. Filed Aug. 17, 1962, Ser. No. 217,681 2 Claims. (Cl. 232-35) This invention relates to automatic signal devices and more particularly to a signal device for rural mailboxes.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a mailbox signal that will be secured to the exterior surface of a mailbox and will have counterweight means for raising a flag which will automatically operate when the door For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a mailbox signal comprising the present invent-ion;

FIGURE 2 is .a view of the present invention shown removed from the mailbox and straightened; and

FIGURE 3 is a side view of FIGURE 2 shown in elevation.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing, a mailbox signal 10 made in accordance with the present invention is shown to include an elongated flat strap 12 made of suitable material having a tapered end 14. A hexagonal colored flag 16 is fixedly secured vertically to the top surface of end 14 providing a readily visible signal when in operation. The other end of strap 12 is provided with a counterweight 1 8. A bracket 20 having parallel projecting ears 22 is secured to the outer surface of mail- "box 24 by rivet fasteners 26 or other suitable means. A

bracket 28 is welded to the upper surface of strap 12 and a pivot pin 30 is fixedly secured and projecting from each side of bracket 28 and pin 30 is freely received within ears 22 of the bracket 20 thus providing pivot means for strap 12 having the flag 16. A cross bar 32 of rectangular and flat configuration is secured beneath strap 12 in front of bracket 20 by suitable fasteners 33 and provides latch means for retaining strap 12. The pivotable mailbox door 34 serves to hold strap 12 downward on the outer surface of mailbox 24 by its flange 36.

The flag end of strap 12 after securing the bracket 20 is arcuately bent around the outside surface of mailbox 24 in door 34 so as to conform to the contour of mailbox 24. a

In operation, an individual pivots door 34 open in a normal manner which will release flange 36 from above cross bar 32 and thus the counterweight 18 being heavier than the flag end of strap 12 gravity will pivot it about pivot pin 30 thus swinging flag 16 above the box 24 and providing a colored signal.

Patented June 29, 1965 It may be noted that counterweight 18 is preferably covered with rubber, thus preventing possible injury to an individual.

' It will be recognized that in order to lower signal 10 an individual places his hand upon the flag end of strap 12 and urges it down toward the top surface of the mailbox 24 and thereafter closing the door 34 having flange 36 which will engage slidably above cross bar 32 thus retainingsstrap 12 in position until door 34 is opened.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction it will be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire 'to protect by Letters Patent ,of the United States is: V

1. A mailbox signal comprising in combination an upstanding bracket attached to the conventional curved top of a mailbox, an elongated strap pivoted on said bracket transversely of said box and having-one end arcuately bent to the contour of said curved top, a flag upstanding from said end of said strap and a counterweight, heavier than said flag, at the other end, lying against one side of said box when the flag is in raised position, a cross bar on said strap between :said flag and bracket having one end thereof receivable under the flange of the door when it is closed and the counterweight end of said strap projecting outwardly and downwardly from one side of said box when said flag is in lowered posit-ion against the opposite side.

2. A mailbox signal comprising, in combination, a substantially U-shaped mounting bracket for securement to a mail box, a substantially elongated and fiat strap received between the ears of said bracket, a pin affixed to said strap, said pin being supported pivotably free in each of said ears of said bracket, a flag carried at one end of said strap, a rubber covered counterweight carried by the opposite end of said strap, a cross bar afiixed to said strap between said flag and said pin, one end of said bar being receivable under the flange of the mail box door and said strap being pivotable about said bracket in a direction -which is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the mail box, one end of said strap being substantially tapered, said flag being vertically secured to said tapered end of said strap, the portion of said strap between said flag and said pin being arcuately bent to the upper contour of said mail box, said counterweight being relatively heavier than said flag, the end portion of said strap carrying said counterweight projecting arcuately outward sidewardly and downwardly relative to said mail box and said flag in an inoperative position standing visibly erect adjacent the side of the mail box.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,814,941 7/31 Lutz 23235 2,483,992 10/49 Young 232-35 2,730,298 1/56 Haserodt 23235 3,095,140 6/63 Buedingen 23235 3,102,684 9/63 Eging 232-35 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A MAILBOX SIGNAL COMPRISING IN COMBINATION AN UPSTANDING BRACKET ATTACHED TO THE CONVENTIONAL CURVED TOP OF A MAILBOX, AN ELONGATED STRAP PIVOTED ON SAID BRACKET TRANSVERSELY OF SAID BOX AND HAVING ONE END ARCUATELY BENT TO THE CONTOUR OF SAID CURVED TOP, A FLAG UPSTANDING FROM SAID END OF SAID STRAP AND A COUNTERWEIGHT, HEAVIER THAN SAID FLAG, AT THE OTHER END, LYING AGAINST ONE SIDE OF SAID BOX WHEN THE FLAG IS IN RAISED POSITION, A CROSS BAR ON SAID STRAP BETWEEN SAID FLAG AND BRACKET HAVING ONE END THEREOF RECEIVABLE UNDER THE FLANGE OF THE DOOR WHEN IT IS CLOSED AND THE COUNTERWEIGHT END OF SAID STRAP PROJECTING OUTWARDLY AND DOWNWARDLY FROM ONE SIDE OF SAID BOX WHEN SAID FLAG IS IN LOWERED POSITION AGAINST THE OPPOSITE SIDE. 